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As previous researchers have found that depression is prevalent among construction workers, we applied the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to 712 construction workers in Nanjing, China, to measure their depression. In doing so, we analyzed the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the BDI-II, and aimed to provide more extensive empirical data for its further development. Results indicated that the Chinese version of the BDI-II has good reliability and validity, and can therefore be used to screen for depressive symptoms.
Keywords: Beck Depression Inventory-II, Chinese construction workers, depression.
Owing to its work nature and environment, construction is a high-risk and high mortality occupation. Previous researchers have shown that, compared to other blue-collar workers, construction workers have a high level of disability, owing to their job characteristics, such as overtime hours (Dong, 2005) and long periods of manual labor, which increase the risk of pain, such as lower back pain (Holmström, Lindell, & Moritz, 1992). Researchers have also shown that construction workers die from occupational injury at twice the rate of their counterparts working in other areas (Dong & Platner, 2004).
Mental health is also a serious issue for construction workers (Love, Edwards, & Irani, 2010). Results of a study of self-reported mental health symptoms of bricklayers and construction supervisors showed that they experienced a number of negative mental health effects, with the depression rate being the highest at 20% of construction workers (Boschman, Van der Molen, Sluiter, & Frings-Dresen, 2013).
Chinese construction workers are no exception. Most are migrants from rural areas who work in urban centers to make a living. However, they live a marginalized life, because, owing to the Chinese hukou system of household registration, they are excluded from cities' welfare benefits (Wong, Li, & Song, 2007). This leads to low socioeconomic status, failure to adapt to urban life, a sense of social exclusion and loneliness, and a lack of social skills (J. Wang, 2011). The mental health of this transient population is therefore of concern (Wong, He, Leung, Lau, & Chang, 2008). Depression is a primary mood or affective disorder, and contains negative feeling components. Its causes are complex and diverse (Beck & Alford, 2009). Depression can be correlated with physical pain (Katona et al.,...